Air pollution control device

ABSTRACT

An air pollution control apparatus for removing pollutants from exhaust gases prior to discharge into the atmosphere which includes both mechanical and chemical filtering of the gases. The gases are drawn through a housing containing a plurality of spaced baffle members surrounded by a porous filter material for precipitating and trapping particulates; a chemical filter further reacts with the gases to neutralize noxious substances therein. A suction impeller in the housing is utilized for maintaining and controlling the gas flow through the filters and for discharging the purified gas through exhaust ports in the housing. The filters are furthermore advantageously removably mounted to permit for the easy disposal of pollutants collected and for replacement of the filters when necessary.

United States Paten 1 Acaba May 8, 1973 [54] AIR POLLUTION CONTROLDEVICE 21 Appl. No.: 98,783

[52] US. Cl. ..23/284, 21/53, 21/55, 21/74 R, 23/277 C, 55/255, 55/260,55/321, 55/334, 55/368, 55/378, 55/443, 55/467,

55/481, 261/121 [51] Int. Cl. ..B0ld 50/00 [58] Field of Search..55/316, 255, 260,

3,190,058 6/1965 Farr et a1 ..55/442 3,224,171 12/1965 Bowman "60/3113,476,524. 1l/1969 Burke ...23/288 F 3,613,562 10/1971 Brewer ..110/18 RPrimary Examiner-Bernard Nozick Attorney-Polachek, Saulsbury & Hough[57] ABSTRACT An air pollution control apparatus for removing pollutantsfrom exhaust gases prior to discharge into the atmosphere which includesboth mechanical and chemical filtering of the gases. The gases are drawnthrough a housing containing a plurality of spaced baffle memberssurrounded by a porous filter material for precipitating and trappingparticulates; a chemical filter further reacts with the gases toneutralize noxious substances therein. A suction impeller in the housingis utilized for maintaining and controlling the gas flow through thefilters and for discharging the purified gas through exhaust ports inthe housing. The filters are furthermore advantageously removablymounted to permit for the easy disposal of pollutants collected and forreplacement of the filters when necessary.

5 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEU 81915 3,732,075

SHEET 1 0F 2 III PAIENI MAY 8 [s15 SHEET 2 BF 2 INVENTOR.

PETER ACABA AIR POLLUTION CONTROL DEVICE This invention relates to apollution control device and in particular to an apparatus for removingparticulates, noxious fumes and other pollutants from combustion orother exhaust gases prior to the venting of the gases into theatmosphere.

The field of ecology and the related problems of environmental controlhave become increasingly relevant in our society today. This isespecially evident in urban and industrial centers. One ofthe chiefareas of principal concern is that of air pollution. Various measureshave been employed in an attempt to limit or otherwise control theamount of pollutants discharged into the air. Among those are the use oflow sulfur fuels or fuels which can be more completely combusted and theemployment of precipitators, spark arresters, electrical filteringdevices, etc. In some instances, legislative measures have beenrequired, such as the prohibition or severe restriction of refuseincineration.

The pollution control device of this invention was developed to providean efficient and economical apparatus for alleviating pollution and isfully applicable in any pollution producing situation wherein combustionor other exhaust gases are vented into the atmosphere. The invention isdirected to an apparatus adapted to be affixed to or over a dischargestack or other exhaust conduit to entrap or otherwise filter and removefrom the gases, solid particulates such as dirt, dust, soot and similarcontaminants. Furthermore, the exhaust gases are also passed through achemical filter which will treat and chemically react with the gases toneutralize noxious substances and extract potentially harmfulconstituents such as sulphur dioxide and carbon monoxide. Additionally,the gases may be pleasantly scented or aromatized prior to dischargefromthe device. v The apparatus is comprised of a housing through whichthe polluted exhaust gases are passed. The housing includes mechanicalfiltering means having a plurality of spaced frusto-conical shapedbaffie members or louvers forming a tortuous or serpentine flowpassageway for the gases. The gases are additionally fed through porouscloth-like filter material placed over a supporting frame surroundingthe baffle members. The heavier solid particulates will precipitatedownwardly during the passage through the baffle members and filtermaterial and will collect in pockets formed adjacent thefilter.material. Further, fine contaminents will be entrapped within theporous filter material. The porous filter material is advantageouslymade in the form of a bag to facilitate disposal of the collected dirt.The gases after the initial filtering, flow through a chemically treatedfilter material and will chemically react with the treated filtermaterial to neutralize noxious substances prior to the venting throughthe exhaust ports. An impeller or fan activated by a motor is placed atone end of the housing and will create a vacuum for maintaining andregulating the flow of gases through the device.

The size, shape and location of the baffie members may be varied toprovide the desired gaseous flow velocity without undue turbulence andmay also be pivotally mounted to the support frame to provide forangular adjustability. The chemical filter means can be a chemicallytreated or impregnated porous material or a chemical in fluid form; theparticular chemical to be used will, of course, depend on the nature ofthe exhaust gases and the noxious substances desired to be removedtherefrom. The porous filter is preferably a cloth-like fabric or papermaterial which can be cleaned and reused or alternately may be disposedand replaced by a new filter.

It is an object therefore of the present invention to provide an airpollution control device having means .therein for both mechanical andchemical filtering of gases passing therethrough.

Specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide an airpollution control device utilizing a plurality of baffle members inconjunction with a surrounding porous fabric material for precipitatingand entrapping pollutants within the gas flowing through the apparatus.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an airpollution control device wherein the gases passing therethrough are alsochemically treated to remove noxious substances therein prior toventing.

Another object of this invention is to provide an air pollution controldevice utilizing a suction impeller for maintaining and regulating theflow of gases therethrough.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an air pollutioncontrol device wherein the filter means are removably mounted andreadily accessible to permi't disposal of the pollutants collectedtherein and facilitate replacement of the filters.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide an air pollutioncontrol device wherein the gases are scented or otherwise aromatizedprior to venting.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will be apparent from the following description of thepreferred embodiments when considered in connection with theaccompanying drawings.

In the accompanying drawings in which are shown some of the variouspossible embodiments of the invention:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the air pollution control device of thisinvention shown affixed to an exhaust conduit and further shows anaccess door in the open position and a porous cloth-like filter materialsecured therein by means of an annular clamp.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view to a slightly enlarged scale taken along line2-2 of FIG. I and shows in detail a plurality of spaced frusto-conicalbaffie members or louvers supported by a frame member which in turn issurrounded by a porous cloth-like bag shaped filter; additionally, achemical filter is mounted above the baffle members and a suctionimpeller is included within the housing for drawing the exhaust gasesthrough the filters and for venting same into the atmosphere.

FIG. 3 is an auxiliary sectional view to a slightly enlarged scaleshowing the arrangement of the frustoconical annular baffle membersaffixed to the supporting frame, the porous cloth-like bag shaped filterenvelopes the frame and is securely clamped thereto by means of anannular clamp; handles are provided on the support frame to permitremoval of the same as an integral unit from the device through theaccess door opening.

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view of a modified embodiment wherein avessel is provided having a plurality of apertures along its upper wallsurface, said vessel containing a fluid for chemically reacting with theexhaust gases prior to discharge through the exhaust ports.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment whereinthe'exhaust gases are channeled through the device to be purified anddischarged therefrom.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view to a slightly smaller scale taken along line66 of FIG. 5 which shows a filtering chamber or canister having a porousmaterial filter lining the inner surface thereof, the chamber hasapertured walls for permitting passage of the gases therethrough; thedevice is also provided with a vessel having an apertured wall surface,said vessel containing a fluid for chemically reacting with the exhaustgases prior to venting through the exhaust ports.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, the reference numeral 10denotes generally the air pollution control device of this invention.The air pollution control device 10 as shown in FIG. 1 is affixed to astackor exhaust conduit 12 at an open end 13 thereof in order to filterand treat the exhaust or combustion gases prior to the venting of sameinto the atmosphere. The gases are passed through a housing 14,preferably cylindrical in shape and constructed of a durable heatresistant and weatherproof material. The housing 14 is provided withexhaust ports 16, an inlet opening 17, and an access door 18 secured bymeans of hinges 20 and a latch 22. The interior of the housing 14accommodates a support frame 24 which is designed to hold andpositionally fix a plurality of spaced frusto-conical baffle members orlouvers 26 in a generally stacked configuration as shown in FIGS. 2 and3. The lower portion of support frame 24 contains a flared out portionforming a base 28 adapted to rest on a mounting bracket 30. The mountingbracket 30 is used to secure the housing 14 to the stack 12. The base 28contains handles 32 for facilitating removal of the support frame 24. Aporous filter comprised of an open-weave, mesh or fibrous cloth-like orpaper material 34, is preferably made to conform to the shape of supportframe 24 and to envelope said frame in a bag-like fashion. The porousfilter material 34 is secured to the frame 24 by means of an annularclamp 36 as most clearly shown in FIG. 1. The filter material 34 may beof any suitable composition including paper, the prime requisite beingthat the porous material should be pervious to air, but substantiallyimpervious to the particulates contained within the gases. Above thesupport frame 24 is positioned an apertured casing 38 containing achemically treated or impregnated filter 40. The treated filter 40 isadapted to chemically react with the gases passing therethrough toextract noxious substances and to neutralize harmful fumes. It should beapparent therefore that the particular chemical used will be dependentto an extent on the nature of the gas being passed therethrough and theparticular substance desired to be removed therefrom.

Additionally, the filter 40 may be treated with chemicals foraromatizing the gases prior to venting into the atmosphere. For thispurpose, naptha derivatives, pine scented substances or other aromaticcompounds may be applicable.

' The exhaust or combustion gases are drawn through the air pollutioncontrol device 10 by means of a suction impeller 42 mounted within thehousing 14 directly above the chemically treated filter 40. The suctionimpeller 42 is operated by a motor 44, and in this particular instance,electrically driven. The purified air is vented through exhaust ports 16formed around the upper surface of the housing 14. y

In operation, the exhaust or combustion fumes rising from the stack orconduit 12 will enter the air pollution control device 10 and flow in atortuous or serpentine path (indicated by arrows) between and around theplurality of baffle members 26, eventually passing through the porousfilter material 34. In this initial stage of the filtering process theparticulates contained within the gases such as dirt, dust, soot andother particles will precipitate out and collect between the bafflemember 26 and filter material 34. The contaminants so removed aredeposited in pockets 48 formed around the periphery of the baffle member26 and indicated by reference numeral 48. These pockets 48advantageously prevent the contaminants from falling back down theconduit 12. After passing through the initial filtering stage theexhaust gases will flow in the annular passageway 50 formed between thefilter material 34 and the housing 14 upwardly and through the aperturedcasing 38 and chemically treated filter 40. In this final filteringstage the noxious substances within the gases will be removed bychemically reacting with the filter 40. The purified gas will continueto flow upwardly because of the suction created by impeller 42 and willeventually be vented through the exhaust ports 16.

It should be noted that both the mechanical and chemical filters arereadily accessible for cleaning and replacement and the frame 24 andfilters may be removed from the housing by way of access door 18.

The FIG. 4 illustrates a modified embodiment wherein like numerals areused to represent like parts in the corresponding figures, and thesuffix letter a has been used to designate like parts in thisembodiment. The final filtering stage has been altered in thisembodiment and a vessel 38a is secured along its upper surface to thehousing 14a in a manner which will permit flow of exhaust gasestherethrough. The vessel 38a is designed to contain a chemical 46 influid form. A depending wall surface 39 is placed within the vessel 38afor guiding the gas flow into contact with the fluid 46. The device willfunction in a manner similar to that described with reference to FIGS. 1through 3.

An alternate embodiment of this invention is illustrated in FIGS. 5 and6 wherein like numerals are used to represent parts in the correspondingfigures and the suffix letter b will be used to designate like parts inFIGS. 5 and 6. In this embodiment the device is designed for attachmentto an exhaust conduit or stack 12b having an opening 13b facing in agenerally downward direction. A housing 14b is provided with an accessdoor 18b and exhaust ports 16b along the lower surface of the housing14b. The initial filtering takes place within an apertured container orcanister 52 in lieu of baffle members previously described. Theapertured container 52 which is lined with a porous filter material 34b.The container 52 is resiliently held against the stack opening 13b bymeans of a retaining clip 54. The container 52 may be easily removedfrom within the housing 14b by way of access door 18b. The

porous filter material 3412 is preferably constructed in a baglikefashion so that is may be removed to dispose of the collectedcontaminents therein or replaced with another filter 34b. The finalstage of filtering takes place with the passage of the gases through achemical 46b contained within an apertured vessel 38b releasably mountedon bracket 56. The vessel 38b has depending walls 39b for guiding thegas flow therethrough. A suction impeller 42b will vent the purifiedgases through exhaust ports 16b and into the atmosphere. The vessel 38bcan be removed by way of access door 181: to add or change the chemicalfluid 46b.

The above cited embodiments are intended as exemplary and while theyhave described the invention with specific implementation thereof, othermodifications and various changes might be made in the embodiment as soset forth and will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

It should therefore be understood that all material herein described andshown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrativeand not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. An air pollution control device including means for both mechanicaland chemical filtering of exhaust gases discharged from an open endedexhaust conduit prior to venting into the atmosphere, comprising ahousing having means defining an inlet opening, and an exhaust opening,fastening means for securing the housing to the conduit with the inletopening positioned over the open end of the conduit, means within thehousing for creating a gas flow through the housing and out the exhaustopening, mechanical filter means mounted within the housing across thepath of the gases for removing and entrapping particulates in the gases,and pollutant chemically-reactive filter means mounted within thehousing adjacent the exhaust opening for neutralizing noxious substanceswithin the gases, said mechanical and chemical filter means beingaccessible to permit removal thereof from within the housing whencontaminated by pollutants, the mechanical filter means being comprisedof support frame, a plurality of baffle members attached to said framein a spaced relationship from each other, and from the housing, thebaffle members being frusto-conical in shape and being spaced in astacked configuration to form pockets for preventing the entraptedparticulates from falling into the open end of the exhaust conduit, themechanical filter means further including a porous material filterenveloping the support frame and surrounding the bafnoxious substanceswithin said gases.

3. An air pollution control device as claimed in claim 1, whereinchemical filter means contains an aromatic compound and is adapted toscent the purified air.

4. An air pollution control device including means for both mechanicaland chemical filtering of exhaust gases discharged from an open endedexhaust conduit prior to venting into the atmosphere, comprising ahousing having means defining an inlet opening, and an exhaust opening,fastening means for securing the housing to the conduit with the inletopening positioned over the open end of the conduit, means within thehousing for creating a gas flow through the housing and out the exhaustopening, mechanical filter means mounted within the housing across thepath of the gases for removing and entrapping particulates in the gases,and pollutant chemically-reactive filter means mounted within thehousing adjacent the exhaust opening for neutralizing noxious substanceswithin the gases, said mechanical and chemical filter means beingaccessible to permit removal thereof from within the housing whencontaminated by pollutants, the mechanical filter means being comprisedof support frame, a plurality of baffle members attached to said framein a spaced relationship from each other, and from the housing, themechanical filter means further including a porous material filterenveloping the support frame and surrounding the baffle members, saidmaterial being pervious to air but substantially impervious toparticulates contained within the gases said baffle members beingpositioned for channelling portions of the gases to the mechanicalfilter means and for collecting pollutant particulates filtered out bythe porous material filter.

5. An air pollution control device as claimed in claim 4, wherein thebaffle members are frusto-conical in shape and are spaced in a stackedconfiguration to form pockets for preventing the entrapped particulatesfrom falling into the open end of the exhaust conduit.

2. An air pollution control device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the chemical filter means comprises a chemically treated porous material within the housing and interposed in the flow path between the mechanical filter means and the exhaust port, said chemically treated filter material being adapted to chemically react with the gases passed therethrough to remove noxious substances within said gases.
 3. An air pollution control device as claimed in claim 1, wherein chemical filter means contains an aromatic compound and is adapted to scent the purified air.
 4. An air pollution control device including means for both mechanical and chemical filtering of exhaust gases discharged from an open ended exhaust conduit prior to venting into the atmosphere, comprising a housing having means defining an inlet opening, and an exhaust opening, fastening means for securing the housing to the conduit with the inlet opening positioned over the open end of the conduit, means within the housing for creating a gas flow through the housing and out the exhaust opening, mechanical filter means mounted within the housing across the path of the gases for removing and entrapping particulates in the gases, and pollutant chemically-reactive filter means mounted within the housing adjacent the exhaust opening for neutralizing noxious substances within the gases, said mechanical and chemical filter means being accessible to permit removal thereof from within the housing when contaminated by pollutants, the mechanical filter means being comprised of support frame, a plurality of baffle members attached to said frame in a spaced relationship from each other, and from the housing, the mechanical filter means further including a porous material filter enveloping the support frame and surrounding the baffle members, said material being pervious to air but substantially impervious to particulates contained within the gases said baffle members being positioned for channelling portions of the gases to the mechanical filter means and for collecting polLutant particulates filtered out by the porous material filter.
 5. An air pollution control device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the baffle members are frusto-conical in shape and are spaced in a stacked configuration to form pockets for preventing the entrapped particulates from falling into the open end of the exhaust conduit. 